Tony Robinson said he has recruited Prince William for a cameo role if there is ever a new series of Blackadder as he collected his knighthood.

The 67-year-old actor, comedian and television presenter attended his investiture ceremony, where he revealed he found himself acting a bit like his foolish character Baldrick as nerves got the better of him.

Sir Tony revealed William had confided he was an admirer of Blackadder, the hit BBC sitcom in which Sir Tony starred alongside figures such as Rowan Atkinson, Tim McInnerny and Hugh Laurie.

“He said that he was a big fan of Blackadder and was there going to be another series? I said we have always talked about it,” Sir Tony revealed.

“I said to him ’would you be prepared to be in it? He said ‘yes’ like a shot.

“I managed to do a bit of casting while he was awarding my knighthood. I think that is probably a first.”

Sir Tony, asked if there were plans for another Blackadder series, quipped: “I don’t know if we can afford Hugh Laurie.”

As to who William could play, Sir Tony said: “I think he would have to play himself, don’t you?”

The former Time Team presenter confessed a “little bit” of Baldrick had crept in when he received his knighthood.

“I messed it up completely - I forgot that you were supposed to bow at the beginning, I was just stood there and I was looking at HRH and he was looking at me. I stepped forward and knelt. Then I went the wrong way.

“A little bit of Baldrick crept over me when I was receiving my knighthood.”